Hulk #12Review

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The Offenders manage to get even more offensive. Go figure.

By Kevin Fuller

If anyone ever needs an example of the term "throwaway arc", the current Defender/Offender arc would definitely be at the top of the list. The arc had absolutely no lead up, no explanation why and then ends with an anticlimactic finish that adds nothing to the series going forward. It's in its own isolated little bubble. If you skipped this arc in its entirety, nothing about the series as a whole would be missed. Most titles occasionally have tangent stories, but they at least try to add some characterization to tie everything together. That does not occur here…

Since last issue ended with Rulk killing Hulk, you realize that that can't possibly be more than a short term thing. Sadly, events become more unbelievable as Rulk then decides to take on all comers, regardless of whether they're friend or foe. With the amount of overkill going on, you know none of it will be allowed to stand, which ruins any dramatic effect Jeph Loeb was going for. If you thought Rulk totally dominating Thor previously was disrespectful to the character and his place in the greater Marvel universe, it's ten times worse here. I openly asked "Seriously?" out loud multiple times throughout the issue, getting louder each time. This culminated in one final "Seriously?" when it was revealed that the most ridiculous of ridiculous actions was the one that couldn't be reversed. It reminded me a lot of those really bad What Ifs comics, except that all this is actually part of continuity.

It's bad enough that the story is overly contrived and unbelievable, but the dialogue is no better. It seems like every other line is one cliché or another. My personal favorite was "HULK SMASH HATE." Hate is not a terrible villain name. Hulk's talking about the intangible emotional state. Also, the Collector's touching moral about death not being able to be cheated or bargained falls extremely flat, since that was the whole underpinning of the arc and had just occurred five pages earlier.

A commenter complained last issue about about Ed McGuinness' "childish, over the top, cartoony" art. I wouldn't disagree with any of those assessments, but I believe that's exactly why he's perfect for this series. Why would I want realistic art when the writing isn't realistic? Simple colorful art is all that's needed, and McGuinness consistently delivers the goods every issue.

I'm not saying this type of title wouldn't appeal to anybody. There is a place for mindless punching/fighting in a comic diet, but there are other better options to get your fix. Even something like X-Force (Messiah War excepted) or Deadpool provide better action, humor, and plot. I really can't see how this appeals to anyone older than 13, other than the name in the title, but your mileage/maturity may vary.